Jedrzejczyk: Zhang ‘not the same’ after our 1st fight

Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk is facing Zhang Weili for the second consecutive time, but she isn’t expecting as big of a challenge as before.

Jedrzejczyk challenged Zhang for the title in March 2020, losing by split decision in the “Fight of the Year” and arguably the greatest women’s MMA bout ever. Jedrzejczyk, who returns to action in a rematch with Zhang at UFC 275 on Saturday in Singapore, believes the brutal nature of the fight had a lasting impact on Zhang.

“I think that she’s not the same after our first fight,” Jedrzejczyk told MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn. “Of course, I lost. But she’s not the same.”

After winning 21 fights in a row, Zhang is 0-2 since the first Jedrejczyk meeting. She dropped the title to Rose Namajunas in April 2021 and then lost a rematch later that year.

While Jedrzejczyk has some doubts about what Zhang will bring to the table in their rematch, she assured she isn’t taking “Magnum” lightly.

“She’s still one of the most dangerous in the division, and it’s going to be a hell of a fight,” Jedrzejczyk said.

Jedrzejczyk hasn’t competed since her loss to Zhang, opting to focus on other business opportunities and wait for a more lucrative UFC contract. However, the 34-year-old said she isn’t worried about ring rust.

“I was training every single day,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I know people are talking about the dust, rust. … I don’t feel like I’m rusty. I feel like I’m in the best shape ever, and I will prove that.”

Unlike the first fight, Saturday’s rematch will only be three rounds. Jedrzejczyk, who has competed in many five-round bouts as the longest-reigning strawweight champion in UFC history, said adjusting to the fewer number of rounds will be a matter of engaging with Zhang right away.

“Like in racing, I just have to put the gas pedal down and be first, violent, but smart from the first seconds of the fight,” Jedrzejczyk said. “There is no time to be wasted in this fight.”

As far as how the fight will unfold – and how Jedrzejczyk will even the series with Zhang and earn another title shot against current champ Carla Esparza – she said she plans to take a more tactical approach.

“It’s going to be a medical procedure,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I’m going to be the best surgeon, and I will pick the right tools and use them (at) the right time. Sharp.”